Update...

Okay people it has been way too long since I blogged so I guess you could say that's a warning!!! ha. I hope you have all enjoyed this awful weather in Northeast MS because I for one have despised it! I hate cold weather to begin with, but now that we have NO grass around our house it is a soppy mess. Literally!

For those who are considering or will ever consider building a house....don't! Let me rephrase....good luck! I will NEVER do it again. NEVER NEVER NEVER! When you pick your house plans out, you get so excited; and then when the contractor quotes you your price and you learn that you are within your budget, you get even more excited! But...it is all down hill from there. I'm not saying that I am not pleased with the outcome of my house, but I know now what I wish I would have done differently...like maybe knocked some of the 2 x 4's down while no one was looking to make my laundry room bigger! ha. I guess you live and you learn though. I sure did....and I still am because we still have NOT closed on the house. Probabaly won't for a while...it's always something...

Anyways, back to the weather and mud...Zack and I were going to lay sod down after the house was complete but then the rains came and then winter struck and well you see it just could not happen...But it will now! I so cannot wait until days like today are everday! There is still mud everywhere (well everywhere except the spots of rye grass that grew) but it isn't as bad as it usually is. I just can't wait to actually have flower beds and landscape and well...just grass!!! Now you see where my income tax refund will go. I told Zack we needed another kid so we could get more money back, but he wouldn't listen.

I mean there is NO telling how much those people with 6 and 7 kids get back. That is if they are not on welfare, which most are. One guy last year got back like $8,000 back...I know this only because he called his wife or woman or whoever he referred to as "baby" to let them know and I was walking into the tax building. I could do a LOT of damage with that kind of money! ha

Okay so this is my lastest update on school....it is awful!!! I wanted to say an ugly word but I refrained from doing so. You know I have NO idea how those women I went to nursing school with could come to class, clinicals, and even study when they worked fulltime and had kids at home. I admire them really because this married woman with kids is only on her second week of school online and these teachers are CRAZY. Or maybe I am CRAZY for taking so many hours...For example...in this history II that I am taking, she assigns these Reading Guides or Learning Guides (whatever they are called), every week on Sunday. (You get all your other assignments too that day). Anyways, and after reading her syllabus and course info, I assumed that you fill these questions out and turn them in every week by Wednesday. And so I did the first week along with the other requirement, and I made a 100. Now these 20+ questions took me 3 days and nights to complete because you had to write nearly a paper on each. Well this past week we had more reading guide questions and a paper to write. Now at this point, I am thinking that I am really going to drop this lady...However when I went to turn my stuff in, there was only a place to turn the paper in...Okay so I thought I just misunderstood. It turns out that you don't turn those stupid questions in....!!!!! They are for your reference only. My reference??? They will now be referred to the garbage! I was so mad!! I even emailed the teacher and attached the questions to let her know how hard I had worked on them! She told me I was totally confused...Well I did not respond because I would have said something very UGLY! But I still made a good grade on the paper. She probably just felt sorry for my totally confused self!

Enough of that...I have about 3 more papers to write plus some test to complete tomorrow by midnight. When will I do it? Tomorrow at midnight. Why? Because I would rather blog! And plus Ella Kate has the stomach virus..GROSS! We had it all the week of Christmas (all but Zack) and now Zack got it Thursday and EK got it last night while she was at grandmother's house. Poor baby. She tries to feel better but her little eyes look so weak. She is now doped up on tylenol and phenergan so the virus should leave by the time she wakes up tonight!! I am debating on whether to go sleep by her but...I guess I will work on this bunch of busy work...that is all it is...busy work. Thank god for momas who teach English though!! I could not have made it without her last week and this week! Hey, she needs practice on what to prepare her high schoolers!

Adam Russell Prentice is now a DADDY! And from what I can tell he is doing a VERY good job at it! This baby is precious. Hope you all can see these pics. They were taken from my phone so sorry if they are blurry...

Jaxson Clyde Prentice

Proud daddy Adam!

Three men and a BABY! Love this

Adam and Jimma and baby Jaxson

Change...

Okay so up front...just to let you know that Anna Kate Nelson is officially enrolled back in school!





Yep, I'm crazy...
I have told myself that before but now as I sit here thinking about the two days I have left of sanity...I am really believing it this time! I am going back to school for my master's. PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT AND PRAY FOR ME NOW!!! Ok, thanks, I needed that. Anyways, I have some classes that I need to get out of the way before I am actually in the program so I am hoping these aren't so bad...It has been way too long since I was in school so I am a tad bit nervous....

For example, yesterday I went to buy books...Five hundred dollars for four books!!!! OMG are you kidding me?? I think the woman at the register read my mind by my facial expression because she said "Will you be purchasing all of these?" Luckily the government gave me a little moo la for these online classes so I politely replied "Please only use my financial aid money until it runs out!" Ha. I felt like a little freshman on her first day of college. But I did get all my books except one which was ordered and I was only out about $35 so I did pretty well. I guess it helps when you change jobs that doesn't pay you anything but time off with your babies! Ha.

I got tickled as I walked out of the bookstore when this young guy looked at me and said "You makin' a nurse?" Notice the language...uh yea. My moma would have stroked! I guess he figured that because I had just gotten off work; I was tired; no makeup; scrubs on and my glasses barely hanging on my nose as I pushed them up trying not to drop my 300lb purchase of books I just made. Yea, I looked like that lost little freshman girl! I replied to him "Little guy, I am in fact a nurse already and have been for a while; I am going back to get my master's, what about you?" He kind of smurked but I bet he felt real big and bad after that because he didn't respond. Geez... do I look that young??? Don't answer that!! I bet people think I am babysitting when they see me with my babies. O well....

Anyways, I plan to get my master's in nursing and practice as a nurse practitioner. (I HOPE)! That is my goal at least! I just have to finish before 2015. I should be done December 2014! Ha...That is cutting it close but I shall make it!

Back to change...I hate change. Hate it, despise it, just hate hate it. In the past 3 years I have gone through so many changes that now...even though I still hate it, I have learned to deal with it. Sometimes it is for the best...Anyways, I started a job at the Planning and Developement District here in Booneville as a Case Manager back in September. At that time, all I knew was floor nursing. But this time I thought changing jobs would be best for me as a mother. And it was, for a few months, until I decided I needed another change. Apparently God did too because an opportunity came available to me and I could not resist by any means. So in two weeks I shall start my new job. I am very excited to get back to something I love.

Another change that my family and I are going through is our new home...we have been in it since the end of July but it still seems new at times. We have changed from 3 different houses in the last year...yea...I am glad this is the settling point! It will feel more like home when I get my flowerbeds and grass and well you get the picture...then I will have everything perfect! Right now my home is with my family. That is the most important part. I tell myself everyday..."I am going to organize and finish unpacking and settling in...", but I end up just messing up more rooms with this toy store we have here! I know these moments won't last forever so I will cherish every minute. Tonite I told myself that I was going to put my babies in their own beds, in their own rooms...well...they are still right here beside me and they aren't going anywhere tonight! I just can't give in...One day they will be too big. One day it won't be cool to be around me. But tonight is not that one day and I am keeping it that way!!!   

Even Zack snoring....uh!!! I'm guessing he will be on the couch in a few! Ha!

Good night all!
AK

SNOW DAY!!

Since Barnes and Ella Kate were not the least bit thrilled about the Christmas morning snow, I didn't figure they would like this week's snow...but I was wrong!!
Here are some pics!
We had a blast!

As you can see we had LOTS of fun...Wish I could post more but these will do for now! Even Buddy (our lab) loved it...he knocked EK down everytime he touched her!!! And to end my story, my poofy baby is worn out sitting on our front steps waiting for someone else to tote her around!!

Just the Three of Us

Most, and I say most although I should say ALL, of the time on the weekends it is just me and my babies at the Nelson resident. Zack hunts every thing that walks, which sounds like a murderer, but he doesn't miss one opportunity to get out in the freezing cold and sit for hours in a tall tree listening to the sounds of nature and not saying one word...Okay I would go crazy!! I have to talk, and blowing some deer call, lathering myself in deer pee, being still, rattling horns...well you get the picture; well that is just not for me at all. Never has been and never will be. I would so rather be in my big bed with a baby on each side with at least one of their body parts touching moma to assure I am still sleeping by them! They just grow up way too fast to miss a single minute of their life!

Usually when I get off work on Fridays they know we are going somewhere...or let me rephrase that...they assume that we have big plans because their mommy is off for two days and their daddy is gone. I really wish he would stay home and they do too but I make our weekend so fun that they don't care if he is! I hear either "Malmart Mommy or Mall Mommy" from Barnes, and Ella Kate just sits in the back shaking her head up and down to agree! I have created monsters! But we can only play with our gazillion toys for a little while...right? Ha.

Tonight we went with my mother in law to the Flea Market. We had to make a pit stop at none other than the famous ToysRUS before we could go though...I knew it was a mistake but I LOVE seeing the smiles on their faces! Off to the market we went but we were not impressed so we left thinking the babies would call it a night. However, all Barnes could say was "I need a plane at Malmart"! Notice the "I NEED"!

There were so many people in Walmart it was awful. They acted as if the world was coming to an end. Did I miss some important information??? And I even had to get off-brand bread because there was NONE left. NONE! And to make a long story short, after being in there for 2 hours, we did not get a plane! I was of course happy because he would break it as soon as he opened it. We just added to our collection of CARS. I now think we have every Toy Story and Car's toy that has been made. Anyone need a new toy? Just come to the famous toy room!

Right now as I am typing I am going over all of the things that I NEED to be doing while my kiddos sleep but I just can't make myself get up out of this warm and cozy bed! Barnes has me watching this new movie about a rat who cooks....Pretty entertaining for him. Ella Kate is snoring like an old man! LOL! I will have to strip her down to her diaper before I call it a night because she is like an oven...she will be and probably already is drenched in sweat! Bless her. It is moments like these that I thank God for.

By the way, I really hope it snows this weekend so I can get some pics of the kids. Barnes of course said that he did not wike it but I am sure my little dare devil over here will be facinated! I can't wait but we probably won't get any of it!

Well night all...Barnes has just closed his precious eyes and so shall I!
AK

The Greens are Greener in Heaven

When Barnes and Ella Kate were born I wished so much for my daddy to be there. I knew what he would have been doing, pacing the floor, sheding tears that he wouldn't want me to see, and then standing in the corner with his hands in his pockets....

That's the daddy I remember. I never imagined growing up in this world that he wouldn't be there for all these special moments. And I hate myself for taking him for granted. Even after he was sick. I guess it was the age I was or maybe stress or maybe the horrible woman that he was married to or maybe his sister and mother that tried to keep us away from him, that tried to lie to us to make everything seem better....I dunno.

I can remember when he lived in Jackson and after his so called stroke or that's what we were told. Anyways, he had some expressive aphasia better known as not being able to speak or express what he was thinking. But he wanted so bad to tell us that he loved us. He would say "I LO...LO..." and then get frustrated. I hated seeing him like that, so helpless, it was like he was a baby trying to talk for the first time. He was mute. We told him lots of things that were going on in our lives and he wanted to talk and comment so much but he took a deep breath and just listened. He was so interested you could see it in his eyes. And it was so upsetting at times because you felt like your own father had no idea who you were and that he had missed your whole childhood. But you could not get upset in front of him because he was very emotional since he could not respond to you. But boy he sure could give the best hugs and kissses! I remember one day when we were visiting him in Jackson at his home or his wife's home...his home will always be Quail Ridge Road despite the one hateful man that betrayed him. Anyways, back to the visit, there was this commercial and I am not sure that anyone remembers it but it was a car commercial and all it showed was a vehicle driving fast on a curvy road and it played some song that I don't know the name of but it had a good beat to it. Now if you know George Barnes well you know that HE could dance!!! And everytime that commercial came on, he would move his head to the beat and smile! It was Priceless. We all laughed and danced to it too. And as much as he wanted to talk he couldn't. It killed me inside. You know you never know what you have until it is gone. And my daddy lost his way of talking. There were times that he would start talking and his wife would finish the sentence for him and he would get so mad because he was trying and she would not let him. And oh how mad I would get. But I held it in for my daddy's sake.

I don't remember how long after but he had to go to rehab for occupational and physical therapy. I remember driving down to Jackson that night with Bonnie; I had a cheer camp in Hinds the next morning so we stayed at my daddy's wife's house. We met at the hospital where Daddy was but she would not let us stay long. Oh how I hugged him and didn't want to let him go. He was so proud to show us that he could brush his teeth by himself! I nearly cried I was so impressed! At that time I thought he was on the road to recovery. We tucked him in and he said "I LO...LO...LOVE YOU". I just stared at him and begin to cry. I tried to say it back but the words would not come...and then they did. He was so proud of himself and so was I. Being only 15, I was still young and didn't know much about his condition or hospital regulations, but his wife put him to bed shortly after we were there and then we left...I was speechless. Why did she not stay with him? Why did we leave so early? What if he fell or could not make it to the call light? All these questions kept popping into my head. And like always, his wife, whose name shall I not mention because I don't like saying it much less typing it, anyways like always she assured us he would be fine. I had to be in Hinds at 7 am the next morning and was hoping to see daddy when I went back to pick up Bonnie. However his wife decided she would just meet me in Hinds so we could go on home. I never questioned it then but now I hate myself for not.

Over the next year my daddy got worse. We hardly got to see him because he was in Jackson and then his wife and his sister and his mother would limit when we saw him. "He's tired or he is not feeling well" is what they would tell us. The day we got the call that he was dying, we drove down, my two sisters and I not anyone saying anything. Just thinking and crying. That day we ignored his sister and walked straight in the room to see him. And what happened...he smiled! Even though he hurt so much and was suffering, he smiled.

Seth was a trooper. This is my sister Maggie's husband. I mean he stuck with us the whole time. He is one of a kind let me tell you and I thank God that he is in our family. One day when Seth came down during those last days when Daddy was awake, he went over to Daddy and shook his hand. Okay Seth expected him to let go quickly but he didn't. In fact I thought he was going to squeeze Seth's hand off! Daddy couldn't talk anymore but I know he was telling Seth to take care of Maggie and of all of us. Tears came to both of their eyes as Daddy slowly let go of his hand. Maggie and Seth were not married at the time but had been dating for a while. We all knew they would marry.

It was hard for my moma to be there for us because of the other wife and my daddys sister and mother. They were all, well I can't even describe how harsh they were and are. Anyways, I think it was the last day that my daddy was in the hospital, before they sent him to hospice. By the way no one told his children this... But that day, my moma was there. We had told his wife that the three of us needed to spend time with him and to our supprise she let us. As we sit there on the bed...no one said a word. Daddy was in and out. Tears shedding and noses running were the only sounds. We held his hands and as I wiped my eyes on my shirt so my daddy could not see me upset, I saw my moma coming in the room. I guess God worked that miracle. He knew that my daddy needed her in there too. And then we just sat there. Moma took his hand and told him that we would all be okay. She told him not to worry and that it was okay to go. He did actually squeeze her hand a little. That was the last moment with all five of us together. I cherish that moment and will never forget it.

Eight and a half years later, I remember those moments like they were yesterday. One night we were saying our prayers at bedtime and I got kind of upset as we were praying for EVERYONE in the family. I mean Barnes knows them all! Anyways, after we finished I said "Barnes, you know my daddy is in heaven with God". He looked at me not saying anything but thinking...I said "Barnes my daddy who is your granddaddy, died and went to heaven and now he lives there." He is still puzzled so I told him that my daddy was playing golf in heaven. I told him that his name was George Barnes and that was where his name came from. Okay that was a little much with the name part but boy did he get excited about the golf part! He replied "Mommy I wana pway (play) golf with George". He could not understand why I got upset but I thought it was the sweetest thing I had ever heard. And then I told him that one day he could play golf with George in heaven. He wanted to play at that exact moment so I had to change the subject! But I know my daddy was smiling down just as he was when Barnes and Ella Kate came into the world.

This past Christmas while we were at my momas spending the night, Barnes brought me a picture that had us and my daddy in it. He said "Mommy, wook (look) it's George, I pway golf with George". I told him that he would indeed get to play with George on those green greens in heaven! Barnes fell asleep that night with that picture in his arms...I knew who to thank for that!

I Love you Daddy!

Toast to a New Year

I really did not want to leave my babies last night to go out for New Year's, but I figured since I was not pregnant or did not just have a baby, that I better take advantage. However, after about 2 hours without them, I got home sick I guess you could say...Even though I knew they were in good hands with my mother in law, I still wanted to hold them in my arms and hear everything that they had to tell about their night. Anyways...that almost but didn't end up happening.

Zack and I love Outback; so I dressed up (first time in a WHILE) and we went to eat. We saw some friends, had a few drinks, and finally got a table to eat. I couldn't eat for thinking about my babies! I mean gosh is there something wrong with me?? To make a long story short, Zack had a REALLY good time and I drove us home... One of our close friends called us all night long asking us to come to a party where he was. I wanted to go get the kids but Zack wanted to go there, so we did. But in the process of us changing clothes, Zack's mom called with Barnes screaming that he wanted his MOMMY. Okay so at this point I am demanding that we go get him. Zack's mom said that he had not had a nap and she would bring him home. I was so excited! I no more could get the words out of my mouth that my babies were coming home when Zack's mom called again and said he fell asleep as soon as they got into the car and that she was going home. I wanted to say NO! But again I gave in and let him stay. Mainly because I thought maybe she would call in the middle of the night and bring him home, or maybe because I knew I had to let him have time away from me. Nevertheless, I knew he would be okay.

So Zack and I loaded up for the party in the Tornado!! Or so it seemed! I was struggling to hold my eyes open until midnight! But it was fun. I was so glad to get home but as soon as I got in bed I got upset...I know whoever is reading this will think that I really am crazy, but I'm not I promise. A part of me was missing in the bed. Besides the fact of Zack snoring...uh! I wanted to get in my car and drive as far as I needed to to get my babies...but I didn't. I did however put my phone right beside my ear in case she called and I set my alarm for early so I could go get them! I just knew they would be excited to see me!

The next thing I remember is waking up, looking at my phone and it saying 1:00 pm!!!!!! Okay at this point I am freaking the hell out because Zack was not in the bed and I had slept till after noon! I thought I was dreaming; but I was not. It took me 10 min to get ready and 20 to get to my in laws...record time! And too my suprise my babies were waiting on me and they both ran into my arms! Priceless. No words can explain!

On the way home I told Barnes and Ella Kate that I missed them last night and that I would not leave them again for that long...Barnes replied "Mommy I fought (thought) you come get me, I called you". He never forgets anything. I knew I had to make it up to him. And I replied "Barnes you are a big boy and you and Kate Kate spent the night like big boys and girls". He just kind of looked at me so don't think he believed me...LOL!